Love Cures People...Both The Ones Who Give It And Receive It.

My Life has lived in Hell, and Heaven. Tears of pain, and thankfully, tears of joy. Inbetween the two is what makes you who you are. There have been people along the way who left an imprint on my Life. They mark a spot, a time, an indicator of where I was then and where I am now. My Life is nothing extraordinary, but it does have value.

After many years of marriage I discovered my husband was having an affair. My world shattered into tiny shards of glass. To say I was broken and numb would be an understatement. Novacain for my Soul was my companion. Time does heal, but you have to be willing. If there's one thing I know it's that you have to forgive...or the pain and anger will consume you, and Life is too short and too precious. Smashing Pumpkins (the music, lyrics, band members) have healed, inspired, and changed my Life. After I told my husband to leave I didn't know what do with myself. I couldn't focus on anything, so I walked. I would walk 3 to 4 miles a day with my Ipod on and I'd listen to Smashing Pumpkins. I'd think, reflect, cry, and try to heal with every step. The first Valentine's Day after he left, I bought myself a gift. It's a silver chain with a tiny silver heart. On the front it says, "Love cures people" and on the back, "both the ones who give it and receive it." I truly believe it. To Love, you have to be willing to open your heart and love others. And when you let someone love you, it not only heals, but it allows you to love in return.

Last October I got my first tattoo. And it's probably the only one I'll ever have. It's the Smashing Pumpkins heart logo and it's on the back of my neck. This band has marked a spot/time in my Life...and now there's physical evidence of it. I have to laugh sometimes because explaining it to people is an event in itself. I've always been "the girl next door" type, a California girl. A tattoo, a Smashing Pumpkin's tattoo, reflects two different images. Thank you Smashing Pumpkins for being who you are. You have a special place in my heart, and always will.